The return of the Spot Prawn
5 Comments
Karen Hamilton
May 6, 2009
BC Spot Prawns are here once again!
The Chef’s Table Society of BC throws a yearly fête as these tasty crustaceans come to the table each May. This year, the start of the official harvest of Spot Prawns will be celebrated again at False Creek Fishermen’s Wharf, just outside the entrance to Granville Island.
3rd Annual Spot Prawn Festival
May 9, 2009
Noon – 3pm
False Creek Fishermen’s Wharf
1505 West 1st Avenue | False Creek [ Map ]
The season runs for a scant 8 weeks. During this time, you can buy them at the Wharf every afternoon straight from Organic Ocean fishermen that catch them that day*. At the Wharf, Spot Prawns are available for $12 a pound. Society members can get them at the Wharf for only $10 a pound (you can purchase your $25 annual membership at the Chefs’ Table website).
Spot Prawn smorgasbord on the Wharf
The following members of the Chefs’ Table Society will be on site to create delicious concoctions for you to sample. If the event is anything like last year, you should be able to purchase a booklet of the recipes that you try that day.
- Robert Belcham, Fuel Restaurant
- Andrea Carlson, Bishop’s
- Quang Dang, C Restaurant
- Scott Jeager, The Pear Tree
- Don Letendre, Elixir
- Toko Hidekazu, Tojo’s
- Frank Pabst, Blue Water Cafe
- Jeff Van Geest, Diva at the Met
- John Geneau, Bin 941
- Clement Chan, Mosaic Bar and Grille
Spot Prawn cooking demos at Granville Island Public Market
During Festival Day as well as May 10th and 16th, you can also catch cooking demos by Vancouver chefs listed below at the stage in the Granville Island Public Market, which is a 5-minute walk from Wharf activities.
Demos run at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm, so you have plenty of opportunity to learn how to make the most of these prawns in your home kitchen. Make sure to pick up the corresponding recipe cards of the demos you catch.
- May 9, 11am – John Bishop, Bishops
- May 9, 1pm – Warren Geraghty, West
- May 9, 3pm – Francois Ganon, CinCin
- May 10, 11am – Don Dickson, South China Seas
- May 10, 1pm – Rob Feenie, Cactus Club Cafe
- May 10, 3pm – Dino Rinearts, Diva at the Met
- May 16, 11am – Jean-Francis & Alessandra Quaglia, Provence
- May 16, 1pm – Nico Scheurmans, Chambar
- May 16, 3pm – Alana Peckham, Cru
Spot Prawns on menus near you
Can’t make it out to False Creek? Keep your eyes peeled for Spot Prawn seasonal creations at Lower Mainland restaurants from now until the season comes to a close in June.
* I’ve seen Spot Prawns available for purchase at T&T and other seafood shops in Granville Island and Chinatown. Be mindful of who you’re supporting when you buy them. I had the misfortune of buying Spot Prawns too early as there was a tank of live critters available at my local Asian grocer. Bought 2 lbs, thinking they were kosher. At least 2 of my take-home bounty were gigantic females full of roe. Apparently, these prawns were caught in the middle of spawning season. I felt sick to my stomach.
Categories: Events, Food, Food Purveyors, Going Green, Restaurants
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